Co-Op, ML Scientist for Protein Engineering

Lila Sciences; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,104 - 82,656; Part time

Job summary

Lila Sciences is seeking an ML Scientist Co-Op in San Francisco to contribute to protein engineering research, including generative design, antibody engineering, developability, and wet-lab-informed model iteration.

You will work with Lila scientists on applied ML research at the AI/biology interface, exploring models, datasets, and workflows that connect computational design ideas to real experimental needs and gain hands-on experience in a fast-moving scientific environment.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a PhD student in a quantitative field.
• Research experience in ML or computational biology.
• Strong programming in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch, JAX).
• Ability to work with biological datasets.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to ML research projects on protein engineering and related biomolecule design.
• Explore generative and predictive modeling for protein sequence/structure/function.
• Translate biological design goals into tractable computational problems.
• Analyze experimental datasets to guide design decisions.
• Prototype workflows connecting model predictions to wet-lab feedback.
• Communicate results through code, notebooks, and presentations.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

JAX

ML Research

Biology data handling

Education

PhD student in Computer Science / ML / Computational Biology

Tools

Python

Job description

Your Impact at LILA

Lila is embarking on a transformative mission to redefine the future of medicine by combining automated large-scale data generation with scientific superintelligence. At Lila, we don't just use AI to analyze biology; we are building the loop where AI and automation co-evolve to solve the hardest problems in medicine.

To this end, the Life Science AI team is developing machine learning systems that can reason over biological data and help design better biomolecules. We are seeking an ML Scientist Co-Op to contribute to protein engineering research, including problems related to generative protein design, antibody engineering, developability, and wet-lab-informed model iteration.

This is an opportunity to work alongside Lila scientists on applied ML research at the interface of AI and biology. You will help explore models, datasets, and workflows that connect computational protein design ideas to real experimental needs, gaining hands‑on experience in a fast‑moving scientific environment.

What You’ll Be Building

• Contribute to ML research projects focused on protein engineering, antibody design, and related biomolecule design problems.
• Explore generative and predictive modeling approaches for protein sequence, structure, function, and developability.
• Work with scientists and ML researchers to translate biological design goals into tractable computational problems.
• Analyze biological and experimental datasets to identify patterns, evaluate model outputs, and guide design decisions.
• Prototype workflows that connect model predictions, candidate prioritization, and wet‑lab feedback.
• Communicate results clearly through code, notebooks, written summaries, and presentations to scientific and technical collaborators.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• Currently enrolled as a PhD student in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, Bioengineering, Biophysics, or a related quantitative field.
• Research experience in machine learning, computational biology, protein engineering, or a closely related area.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with modern ML frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX, or similar tools.
• Ability to work with biological sequence, structure, assay, or other scientific datasets.
• Interest in applying ML methods to real biological design problems in partnership with experimental scientists.
• Clear communication skills and comfort working in a collaborative, cross‑disciplinary research environment.

Bonus Points For

• Experience with protein language models, structure prediction, generative protein design, diffusion or flow‑based models, or antibody design.
• Familiarity with protein structure, biophysics, developability, affinity maturation, or wet‑lab validation concepts.
• Publications, preprints, open‑source work, or research projects in ML for biology, protein engineering, or AI for Science.
• Experience building active learning, model evaluation, or data analysis workflows for scientific discovery.
• Comfort collaborating with experimental scientists and translating between ML concepts and biological constraints.

About LILA

Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard‑coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.

LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. Learn more at www.lila.ai.

Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.

We’re All In

Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.

A Note to Agencies

Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.